Minimum Wage Debate

Topic: In the 2014 State of the Union, President Obama called on Congress to raise the national
minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. Should the US raise the national minimum wage for all
workers to $10.10?
You and your partner will be debating another team and taking either The Democratic or
Republican stance on the topic above. You will be conducting research to provide evidence to
support your position. Your research will start with the party platform, found at their websites
(GOP.com or democrats.org). You should read and understand the position that your party is
taking in regards to the issue. Next, you will need to find supporting evidence which should
come from reliable/ credible sources. This could include government sites [Bureau of Labor
Statistics, Census Bureau, etc.], credible media sources [New York Times, Wall St. Journal,
etc.], and/or political think tanks [Center for American Progress (Liberal), Heritage
Foundation(Conservative), Cato Institute (Libertarian), etc.]. Another good place to start is the
VAHS LMC website, which has the Point of View Reference Center. You can find this in the
Research tab in the topic Databases.
A good debater understands what the other side is going to argue, which is important in
formulating counter-arguments. You are strongly encouraged to look at and consider the
opposing sides position.
The final product will be a formal debate. You will be turning in a typed copy of your talking
points along with a bibliography in MLA format.
The debate format is as follows. Please note, the order will be determined by coin toss (The
Democrats will not necessarily go first):
1DEM (First Constructive) 6 minutes
A good introduction that attracts the audiences attention and interest in the topic
Clearly state the resolution
Clearly state each of your contentions
Support with reason and evidence
Conclude effectively
Cross Ex of the DEM by one of the REP 3 minutes
You ask questions have a strategy or at the very least a direction to your questioning
Be courteous
1REP(First Constructive) 6 minutes
A good introduction that attracts the audiences attention and interest in the topic
Clearly state the Republicans position on the topic
Clearly state the Republicans Observations
Support with reason and evidence
Attack and question the Democrats Contentions/evidence
Conclude effectively
Cross Ex of the REP by one of the DEM 3 minutes
You ask questions have a strategy or at the very least a direction to your questioning
Be courteous
2DEM (Second Constructive) 6 minutes
A good introduction that attracts the audiences attention and interest in the topic
Clearly state each of your contentions (the 2DEM may issue additional contentions)
Support with reason and evidence
Respond to Republicans arguments/attacks
Conclude effectively
Cross Ex of the DEM by the other REP 3 minutes
You ask questions have a strategy or at the very least a direction to your questioning
Be courteous
2REP (Second Constructive) 6 minutes
A good introduction that attracts the audiences attention and interest in the topic
Clearly state the Republicans Observations the second REP can introduce additional
Observations
Support with reason and evidence
Attack and question the Democrats Contentions/evidence
Conclude effectively
Cross Ex of the REP by the other DEM 3 minutes
You ask questions have a strategy or at the very least a direction to your questioning
Be courteous
Rebuttal Speeches no new arguments new evidence and analysis are ok
1REP (First Rebuttal) 4 minutes
Rebuild the REP case
Summarize how the REP position is superior and the DEM has not carried the burden-of-proof
Conclude effectively
1DEM (First Rebuttal) - 4 minutes
Respond to the REP arguments, rebuild the DEM case and contentions extend arguments
and give additional support for them
Conclude effectively
1REP (Second Rebuttal) 4 minutes
Respond to latest Democrats arguments
Make your final case to the audience that the REP position is superior to the DEM
Try and convince the audience the DEM has failed to carry the burden of proof
Summarize the debate and conclude effectively and ask for the audience to agree with the REP
position
2DEM (Second Rebuttal) 4 minutes
Respond to final Republicans arguments
Summarize the debate and show the audience how the DEM position is superior
and the DEM has carried the burden of proof
Conclude effectively.